Signaling system.



3 E D. :D E m N E T A P SIGNALING 'SYSTBM.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 1. 1906.

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HI M1! HUWHHIHIIIIIIIH 257 INVENTOB B) fa A TTOHNE m 4167M $447MWITNESSES.

PATENTED DEC. 3, 1907.

0. W. COLEMAN. SIGNALING SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 1.1906.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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m w 4 vn M W A w. w@ W0 PATENTED D3013. 1907.

C. W. GOLEMAN.

SIGNALING SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 1. 1900.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

INVENTOI? I J BY 4 ,4 TTOHNEYS.

W/TNESSES No. 872,798. 4 r PATENTED DEC. 3, 1907'.

0. W. COLEMAN.

SIGNALING SYSTEM.

APPLIGATION FILED MAY 1. 1906.

4 SHEETS-SHEElT-4.

UNITED STATES PATENT oFinoE.

CLARENCE W. COLEMAN, OF WESTFIELD, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO THE HALLSIGNAL COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF MAINE.

SIGNALING SYSTEM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 3, 1907.

Application filed May 1. 1,906. Serial No. 314.625.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CLARENCE W. OoLE- MAN, a citizen of the UnitedStates, a resident of lVestfield, county of Union, and State of NewJersey, have invented Signaling Systems, of which the following is aspecification.

My invention relates to railway signaling systems employing liquefiedgas such as carbonic acid gas as the motive power for actuating one ormore signals of the system.

One object of my invention is to provide means for actuating a signal byliquefied gas that will avoid leakage of the gas and will thus increasethe number of operations of the signal that can be obtained from a givenstored supply of gas.

Another object of my invention is to provide means whereby the gas maybe utilized to hold a signal at safety without leakage and withoutconsequent alteration of the po- I e n l sition of the signal.

Another object of my invention is to provide means whereby gas may beused expansively in causing the signal to move to a given position thusreducing the. amount of gas used for each operation.

Another object of my invention is to provide a plurality of pistons foractuating the signal which are so proportioned and arranged that theeffective area of the pistons utilized in actuating the signal may beincreased during the stroke of the piston mechanism.

ith the above and other objects in view, my invention consists in theparts, improvements and combinations more particularly pointed out inthe claims.

Referring now to the drawings which accompany this specification andform a part thereof,

Figure 1 illustrates a vertical elevation of my improved signaloperating means. Fig. 2 1s a top plan view of the same. Fig. 3 is an endelevation partly 1n section. Fig. 4 1s a detail view showing one meansof operating thevalve mechanism. Fig. 5 is a detail view showing thevalve ports.

The tank 1 contains a local, storage supply of liquefied gas which formsthe source of the gas used to operate the signal. The gas contained inthe tank 1 is preferably carbonic acid gas at or about the point ofliquefaction.

The pipe 2 leads from the tank to an ordinary red/acing valve 3 by meansof which gas 1s supplied at a reduced pressure to the signal operatingmechanism. This reducing valve may be of the construction illustrated inthe patent to C. W. Coleman, No. 810,262, of January 16th, 1906. Abranch pipe 4 supplies high pressure gas to the gage 5, the pressure ofwhich is indicated by means of one of the arrows on the gage. leading tothe gage 5 supplies the gage with low pressure gas at a pressureproduced b the reducing valve 3, which pressure is indicated by theother arrow of the gage 5. The pipe 7 leading from the low pressure sideof the reducing valve may communicate directly with the means foradmitting gas to the signal operating means, but is preferably connectedto the expansion chamber 8, which in turn is connected with the gasadmitting means by the/pipe 9.

In order to operate the signal economically and in order to get as manyoperations as possible out of each tank full of gas, I provide a liquidlink or seal, and suitable means whereby the pressure of the gas comingfrom the supply tank may be transmitted to the liquid to actuate thesignal.

As shown in Fig. 1, the liquid 10 which is preferably a non-freezingliquid, such as a mixture of alcohol and water, is contained Within achamber having the walls 11, 12.

In the best embodiment of my invention, a diaphragm 13 is interposedbetween the liquid 10 and the gas pipe 1.4. Bolts 15 and 16 firmlysecure the walls 11, 12 and diaphragm 13 together, so as to preventleakage of the liquid.

In the particular embodiment of my invention illustrated upon thedrawings the chamber having the walls 11, 12 is located at the base ofthe piston chamber and the piston chamber opens into it.

In accordance with my invention I make use of the liquefied gas actingexpansively and I provide piston mechanism acted upon by gas pressuretogether with means whereby the area of the piston mechanism subjeotedto gas pressure varies at different portions of the stroke of the pistonmechanism. The volume swept through by the piston mechanism while undergas pressure is also varied and increases when the piston mechanism issubjected to reduced pressure. The signal blade 17 with the usualcounterweight 18 that gives the signal a normal bias to The pipe 6danger, is connected by means of a connecting rod 19 to the piston rod20. Two pistons 21 and 22 which are preferably of different diametersare, in the best embodiment of my invention, coaxially mounted upon thesingle rod 20. Piston chambers and 24 corre sponding in diameter to thepistons 21. and 22 receive said pistons.

1n the best embodiment of my invention the piston 22 is provided with apassage 22 communicating with a port 22"the function of which will beset forth hereinafter. I have provided suitable meansforsupplying liquidto each of said chambers. Liquid is supplied to the chamber by means ofa pipe 25, 26, 27 from the supply reservoir 28, provided with air inlet28 and filling plug 28. A valve 29 is located in the supply pipe at 26.In the embodiment of the invention illustrated upon the drawings, thisvalve consists of a check valve, which automatically opens when thepiston rises, thus supplying liquid from the reservoir 28 to the pistonchamber 23. The valve 29 closes as soon as the liquid in the chamber 23is subjected to pressure by the gas beneath the diaphragm 13, and theliquid will not be able to return to ,the reservoir 28 through the pipe26. Suitable means are provided for permitting the liquid to flow intothe reservoir 28 on the return stroke of the piston. A bypass 30 isshunted around the valve 29, the bypass leading by means of the pipe 31to a valve chamber 32, the bottom of which is closed by the diaphragm334 A valve 34 is attached to the diaphragm, the force of whichdiaphragm tends constantly to open the valve. A return pipe leads to thepipe 27. When the valve 34 is opened, which occurs when the signal movesto danger and the piston 21 returns to its initial position, the liquidin the piston chamber 23 returns by the bypass 36, pipes 31 and 35 tothe reservoir 28.

in the embodiment of the invention. illustrated upon the drawings, thereservoir 28 is used to keep the chamber having walls 10, 11, full ofliquid. Should the liquid 10 leak beyond the piston 22, the reservoir 28will supply enough liquid to keep the chamber full. A pipe 36 leads fromthe reservoir 28 to the liquid-containing chamber, and a valve 37 isinserted in said pipe to control the supply of liquid. \N hen thediaphragm 13 is subjected to gas pressure from the pipe 14, the pressurein the diaphragm chamber keeps the valve 37 closed. When the piston 22returns, the pressure in the pipe 14 having been relieved, freecommunication exists between the reservoir 28 and the diaphragm chamber,and the reservoir can supply any additional liquid necessary to thechamber.

Suitable means are provided, which may be uidely varied, for admittinggas to actuate the piston mechanism and for cutting oil the supply 01"gas at a predetermined point and allowing the gas td expand." In theform of the invention illustrated upon the drawings,

an admission valve 38 is used to control the admission of gas throughthe port 39 that leads to the pipe 14. An exhaust valve 40 leading tothe atmosphere through port 41, is shown as mounted on the same stem asthat of the valve 38. Suitable means are provided for actuating thevalve 38. As illustrated, the valve stem of valve 38 is pivoted at 42 toa link 43, which in turn is pivoted at 44 to the frame of the machine. Alink 45, provided with an adjustable connection 46, is connected withabell crank 47 pivoted at 48 to the frame of the machine. An armature 49is attached to the bell crank. An electromagnet 50 is provided toattract the armature 49 and thus operate the valve T he electromagnet 50also attracts an armature 49 on the bell crank 49, which through theadjustable connection 49 operates the valve 34. Pole pieces 50 and 50may be used as well as a brass frame 50 to hold the magnets in place.The means for controlling the electromagnet 50 may be widely varied. 1have shown for this purpose an electric battery 51 and. an. electriccircuit 52 that includes the electromagnet 50. A circuit closer 53 makesand breaks the circuit 52 so as to energize and deenergize theelectromagnet 50. The means for operating this circuit closer may bewidely varied. As illustrated on the drawings, a track circuit 54, withtrack battery 55, is provided, the current from the battery 55energizing the coils of the relay magnet 56. When so energized the relay56 attracts the circuit closer 53 and closes the circuit. When the train57 is on the track 54, it prevents the current from passing through thetrack relay 56, and'the circuit closer 53 is opened by the spring 58.The former operation admits gas to the pipe 14 and sends the signal tosafety, and the latter operation, byv denergizing the magnet 50, closesthe admission valve 38 and opens the exhaust valve 40, thus allowing thegas in 14 to escape to the atmosphere and the signal to go to danger.

In order to use the gas expansively, suitable means are provided forcutting off the supply of gas after a predetermined movement of thepiston mechanism. In the form of the invention illustrated by thedrawings I provide a cut-off valve 59 which cuts oil the supply of gascoming from the gas inlet 60 at the proper time, said inletcommunicating with the pipe 9. A screw plug 61 closes the orifice inwhich the valve 59 is located, so that no gas can pass from 60 to theatmosphere. The valve 59 is mounted on a stem 61, a spring 62 closingthe valve against its valve seat 63. When the signal is at safety, thevalve 59 is open, and gas passes from the inlet 60 up into the diephragm chamber 64. This chamber is closed by a screw cap 65, andcontains a diaphragm 66 that prevents leakage of gas. The gas, whenpermitted to do so by the opening of the valve 38, passes by the body ofthe valve 38 and through the passage 67 to the port 39. Suitable meansare provided for keeping the cut-off valve 59 open and for permitting itto close at a predetermined point in the movement of the pistonmechanism. This means may be widely varied. As shown on the drawings, Ihave provided a bell crank 68 pivoted at 69, having an arm 70 with aninclined portion 71 with which the arm 72 carrying roller 73 operates.The arm 72 moves with the piston mechanism. Suitable connections areprovided between the bell crank 68 and the valve 59. As shown in Fig. 4,a rod 74 guided in the cap rests on the upper side of the diaphragm 66.The arm 68 is in contact with the rod 74.

In the position of the parts shown in Fig. 1 the bell crank 68 ispressing against the rod 74, which has moved the diaphragm 66 againstthe nut 75 on the valve stem 63, compressing the spring 62 and openingthe valve 59. Gas freely enters the diaphragm chamber 64. Then themagnet 50 is energized, the gas passes through the port 39 and into pi e14, the piston mechanism rises, and after t eroller 7 3 passes the bendin the arm and reaches the incline 71, the bell crank 68 rocks, thecut-off valve 59 closes, and for the rest of the stroke of the pistonthe gas acts expansively against the piston mechanism. lt is during thissecond stageof the operation that my improved piston mechanismcooperates with the cut-off to utilize the expanding force of the gas.On reference to Fig. 1 it will be observed that when the piston 22 hasreached a position so that the port 22 is in communication with thechamber 23, the piston 21 having drawn beneath it a supply of liquid,the pressure of the gas exerted through the diaphragm 13 will betransmitted to both pistons throu h the liquid link between the pistonsand the diaphragm. Owing to the increased area of the piston mechanismopposed to the decreased pressure of the gas, which is now actingexpansively, the total pressure in moving the signal is maintained, anddoes not decrease. The piston mechanism is thus enabled to make a fullstroke movement with a less expenditure of gas than if the gas were notused expansively. It will also be observed that during the movement ofthe piston mechanism, the volume swept through or displaced by thepiston mechanism per unit length of stroke is increased after the port22 has left piston chamber 24 and iston 21 comes into action, thepressure of the gas at this part of the stroke having diminished.-Without increasing the length of stroke of the piston,

the expanding force of the gas may be used to give the signal a fullstroke movement.

With the above description of my invention and of the operation alreadygiven, the operation of the various parts will be readily understood. Myinvention may be applied to normal danger as well as to normal safetysystems. The drawings show my invention in connection with a normalsafety system. VVhen' the train 57 leaves the track 54 in passing to thesection beyond, the current from the battery 55 passes through the relay56, which closes the circuit through the electro magnet 50. The electromagnet attracts both its armatures 49 and 49, the latter closing thebypass for the liquid through the pipe 30. The armature 49 opens theadmission valve 38, as shown in Fig. 4, and the cut-off valve 59 beinglikewise held open by the roller 73, gas passes to a point below thediaphragm 13. This gas pressure displaces the liquid 10, which raisesthe piston 22. As the piston mechanism rises, liquid is drawn beneaththe piston 21 from the reservoir 28 through the check valve 29. When thepiston mechanism has completed the desired portion of its stroke, thecut-off valve 59 is closed through the operation of the roller 73 of thearm 71, and the port 22 having passed out of the piston chamber 24, thegas pressure pressing through the liquid 10 is made effective againstthe combined areas of pistons 21 and 22. The piston mechanism moves thesignal for the remainder of its stroke, under the expansive force of thegas, and the piston is held at safety by the gas pressure. The return ofthe parts to the danger position may be easily effected by the meansshown on the drawings.

My invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the particularconstructions and relative arrangements of the parts herein shown anddescribed nor to any particular form of apparatus by which the inventionmay be carried into efl'ect, as many changes may be-made in theconstruction and relative arrangement of the parts as required to adaptthe a paratus to the circumstances of the particular application of theinvention or to meet the personal views of the engineer j employed tocarry the invention into effect without departing from the mainprinciples of the invention and without sacrificing its chiefadvantages.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secureby Letters Patent, is:

1. In a railway signalim system, the combination of a signal, a tanlkfor liquefied ga's, piston mechanism acted upon by gas pressurecomprising a lurality of pistons for actuating said signa and means forvarying the volume swept through by the piston mechanism which issubjected to gas pressure, during a ortion of the stroke of the saidpiston mec anism.

2. In a railway signaling system, the combination of a signal, a tankfor liquefied gas, iston mechanism subjected to gas pressure oractuating said signal, and means for varying the area of the pistonmechanism subjected to gas pressure while the pressure of the gas actingon said mechanism is varied.

3. In a railway signaling system, the combination of a signal normallybiased to danger, a local tank forliquefied gas, piston mechanismsubjected to gas pressure for actuating said signal, and means forincreasing the area of the piston mechanism subjected to gas pressurewhile the pressure is diminished.

4. In a railway signaling system, the com bination of a signal, aplurality of pistons for actuating said signal, a source of liquefiedgas, means for admitting gas to actuate said pistons, and means forcutting oil the supply of gas at a predetermined point and allowing thegas to expand.

5. In a railway signaling system, the combination of a signal, aplurality of pistons for actuating said signal, a source of liquefiedgas, liquid between the .gas and the piston, means for admitting gas totransmit pressure to said liquid, means for cutting oil the supply ofgas at a predetermined point and al lowing the gas to expand.

, 6. In a railway signaling system, the combination of a signal, aplurality of pistons on a common rod for actuating said signal, a sourceof liquefied gas, means for admitting gas to actuate said pistons, andmeans for cutting oil the supply of gas at a predetermined point andallowing the gas to expand.

7. In a railway signaling system, the combination of a signal, aplurality of pistons of different diameters, piston chambers ofcorresponding diameters, a source of liquefied gas, means for admittinggas to actuate said pistons, and means for cutting oil' the supply ofgas at a predetermined point and allowing the gas to expand.

S. In a railway signaling system, the combination of a signal, aplurality of pistons of difierent diameters, piston chambers of corresponding diameters, a source of liquefied gas, liquid between the gasand the pistons, and means for admitting gas to transmit pressure to theliquid.

9. In a railxi'ay signaling system, the combination of a signal, aplurality of pistons of different diameters, pistonchambers ofcorresponding diameters, a source of liquefied gas, liquid between thegas and the pistons, means for admitting gas to transmit pressure to theliquid, and means for cutting oil the supply of gas at a predeterminedpoint and allowing the gas to expand.

10. In a railway signaling system, the combination of a signal, a sourceof liquefied gas,

a plurality of coaxial pistons of different diameters, said pistonsbeing mounted on a common rod, piston chambers of correspondingdiameters, a liquid, means for admitting gas whereby the pressure of thegas is transmitted to the liquid, means for cutting off the supply ofgas 'at a predetermined point and allowing the gas to expand.

1 1. In a railwaysignaling system, the combination of a signal, aplurality of pistons for actuating said signal, a source of liquefiedgas, piston chambers for said pistons, means including a supply pipe forsupplying liquid to one of said chambers, a valve in said supply pipe,and means for admitting gas to transmit pressure to the liquid.

12. In a railway signaling system, the combination of a signal, a sourceof liquefied gas, a plurality of pistons, a plurality of pistonchambers, means for supplying li uid to one of said chambers, a supplypipe or supplying liquid to the other chamber, a valve in said supplypipe, a bypass connected with said supply pipe, and a valve in saidbypass.

13. In a railway signaling system,the combination of a signal, a sourceof liquefied gas, a plurality of pistons, a plurality of pistonchambers, means for supplying liquid to one of said chambers, a supplypipe for supply ng liquid to the other chamber, a valve in said supplypipe, a bypass connected with said supply pipe, a valve in said bypass,and an electro magnet for actuating the valve in the bypass.

14. In a railway signaling system, the combination of a signal, aplurality of pistons for actuating said signal, a plurality of pistonchambers, a source of liquefied gas, means for supplying liquid to oneof said chambers, a pipe for supplying liquid to the other chamber, avalve in said pipe, a bypass, a valve in said bypass, an electro magnetfor actuating said valve, a diaphragm arranged between the liquid andthe gas, a cut-off valve arranged between the source of liquefied gasand the diaphragm, an arm for actuating said valve, and means controlledby the movement of the signal for actuating said arm.

15. In a railway signaling system, the combination of a signal, aplurality of pistons for actuating said signal, a plurality of pistonchambers, a source of liquefied gas, means for supplying liquid to oneof said chambers, a pipe for supplying liquid to the other chamber, avalve insaid pipe, a bypass, a valve in said bypass, an electro magnetfor actuating said valve, a diaphragm arranged between the liquid andthe gas, an admission valve controlled by said magnet, a cut-off valvearranged between the source of liquefied gas and the diaphragm, an armfor actuating said valve, and means controlled by the movement of thesignal for actuating said arm.

16. In a railway signaling system, the combination of a signal, aplurality of pistons for actuating said signal, a plurality of pistonchambers, a source of liquefied gas, means for supplying liquid to oneof said chambers, a chamber containing liquid in communication with theother of said chambers, one of said pistons having a passage providedwith a port whereby communication may be established between one of saidpiston chambers and the chamber containing liquid, and means whereby thepressure of the gas may be transmitted to the liquid to actuate thesignal.

17. In a railway signaling system, the com-' bination of a signal, aplurality of pistons for actuating said signal, a plurality of pistonchambers, a source of liquefied gas, means for supplying liquid to oneof said champansively bers, a chamber containing liquid in communicationwith the other of said chambers, one of said pistons having a passageprovided with a port whereby communication ma be established between oneof said piston c ambers and the chamber containing iquid, means wherebythe pressure of the gas may be transmitted to the li uid to actuate thesignal, and a cut off rnec ianism for the gas supply whereby gas may beused exin actuating the signal.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification, inthe presence of two subscribing witnesses.

CLARENCE W. COLEMAN.

Witnesses:

WILLIAM F. BISSING, EDWIN SEGER.

